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1. Who was St David?<\/h2>\n
David was known to be a monk and to have founded a monastery near to his reported birthplace of Pembrokeshire, West Wales. As a monk David was also known as Dewi Dyfrwr (David the Waterdrinker) due to a strict and modest diet of only bread, vegetables and water. From a modest monk to a national legend, David was reported as a miracle maker and was said to have restored a blind man\u2019s sight and to have brought a child back to life<\/a>.<\/p>\n St David the patron saint of Wales – CC 2.0<\/a> By AJ Alfieri-Crispin<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n St David’s Day is celebrated on the 1st of March, which is day when historic records state that St David died on in 589 AD. Interestingly, a survey published by the historic monuments body Cadw suggests that half of adults living in Wales<\/a> do not know why the country celebrates St David\u2019s Day on 1st of March.<\/p>\n Nobody can be 100% sure of the age of St David when he died, as his birth date is uncertain. Rumour has it that he was over 100 years old. History tells us that he was likely to have been born between 462 \u2013 512 AD. This means that David was between the age of 77 and 127 when he passed away on March 1st 589 AD.<\/p>\n Arguably one of the most interesting St David’s Day facts is that the national day isn’t actually a bank holiday<\/a> in Wales. A petition calling for St David\u2019s Day to be made a national bank holiday in Wales, which gathered thousands of signatures, was rejected by Downing Street in 2007. A poll conducted in 2006 indicated that 87% of the Welsh public were in support of this change. With other countries, including Ireland and Scotland getting chance to celebrate their national days with a public holiday, it only seems fair that Wales get the chance to as well.<\/p>\n A poll suggests 87% of the Welsh public were in support of a Bank Holiday – CC 2.0<\/a> By National Assembly for Wales<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n It is an ancient tradition to eat and wear leeks on St David\u2019s Day, but why is this? One of the lesser-known facts about St David’s Day is that leeks became a symbol of Wales and St David\u2019s Day because, during a battle against the Saxons, David had advised all of his soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could easily distinguish themselves from the enemy.<\/p>\n Leeks and Daffodils national emblems of Wales – CC 2.0<\/a> By Laia<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The colours of the flag have long been associated with the Welsh saint, although earlier variations of the flag included a black cross on a gold field. Despite this, the origins of the flag are unknown… and although it can be seen throughout Wales, it is far less frequently used in comparison with the red dragon. Most notably it was incorporated into the Cardiff City FC club logo between 2003 and 2008. If you want to see the flag in person, then you\u2019re most likely to see it held proudly aloft on the 1st of March.<\/p>\n The Black & Yellow Flag of St David – CC 2.0 <\/a> By National Assembly for Wales<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n St David\u2019s Day celebrations take up many different forms, with everything from parades filled with patriotism and dancing to a traditional St David\u2019s Day dish of Cawl<\/a> (traditional Welsh Soup).<\/p>\n It is the norm for adults to wear\/pin leeks or daffodils, the Welsh national symbols, to their clothing.<\/p>\n Children sometimes wear the traditional national costume, which was once worn in rural Wales. This includes the unique Welsh hat worn by women, which is of a similar style to a top hat.<\/p>\n Traditional St David’s Day cawl – CC 2.0<\/a> By Worm That Turned<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n One of the most frequently searched St David’s Day questions in Google is \u201cHow do you say happy St David\u2019s Day in Welsh?\u201d With this in mind, we thought we would try our best to help by giving the translation a go\u2026<\/p>\n Happy St David\u2019s Day to everyone – Dydd G\u0175yl Dewi hapus i bawb<\/strong><\/p>\n If you would like to know more English – Welsh translations, we have put together a helpful list of \u201cessential\u201d words that may come in use when on a Welsh holiday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Use our Wales Travel Guide<\/strong><\/a> for more inspiration on how to experience this beautiful country.\u00a0 Browse through over 2000 Welsh cottages<\/strong><\/a> and pick the perfect property for your next break away. If you want to learn more about patron saints of the UK, check out these facts about St George’s Day<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"st](\"\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/st-david-596x500.jpg\")
\n2. When is St David’s Day?<\/h2>\n
\n3. How old was St David when he died?<\/h2>\n
\n4. Why is St David\u2019s Day not a public bank holiday in Wales?<\/h2>\n
![\"st](\"\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/st-davids-day-for-a-public-bank-holiday-1-596x500.jpg\")
\n5. Why are leeks a symbol of Wales?<\/h2>\n
![\"leeks\"](\"\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/leeks-596x500.jpg\")
\n6. Why is the flag of St David a yellow\/gold cross with a black field?<\/h2>\n
![\"St](\"\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/St-Davids-Day-1-596x500.jpg\")
\n7. How is St David’s Day celebrated?<\/h2>\n
![\"cawl](\"\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/cawl-596x500.jpg\")
\n8. How do you say happy St David\u2019s Day in Welsh?<\/h2>\n
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